Brake



C. P. WELDON Jan. 7, 1936.

BRAKE Filed March 3, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 on $.E. Nu

INVENTOR! CHI CHESTER. P. I/VELDON,

H15 ATTORNEY C. P. WELDON Jan. 7, 1936 BRAKE Filed March 3. '1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, Cmcm-zsm P WELDOZV,

H15 AT ORNEY.

5 often provided with Patented Jam. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES I BRAKE Chichester P.

Weldon,- Bristol, -Conn., asslgnor,

by mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application March 3, 1932, Serial No. 596,441

16 Claims.

' This invention relates to brakes and comprises all of the features of novelty herein disclosed, by way of example, in connection with a brake for aeroplane wheels. Aeroplane wheels are doughnut or low pressure tires of small diameter but of large width and cross section to provide ample cushioning and traction effect. against the ground. The large cross section necessitates a small-bored hub and the amount of space available between the hub and the supporting shaft is very much restricted. The supporting shaft is usually a stub axle of standard diameter projecting from the usual torque tube or torque'plate carried by the fuselage and hence the shaft is supported or anchored at one end only. To reduce torsion or twisting effects, the shaft should be short, with the hub and brake close to the anchored end.

To locate a brake of sufficient capacity between the hub and the torque plate would necessitate lengthening the shaft and displacing the hub outwardly to make room for a brake drum or the like. Suitable antifriction bearings are desirable for easy running of the wheels in taking off and these bearings apparently prevent the use of even that small unoccupied space within the hub, especially if the standard stub axle is 'used unchanged.

An object of the invention accordingly is to provide an improved brake which will overcome some or all of the above mentioned defects in prior constructions. Another object is to provide a brake of ample capacity that will utilize the space available in the most effective manner. Another object is to provide a brake, especially for stub-axle-mounted wheels, that can be housed inside of a hub at one side of a bearing and operated from the other side of the bearing near-the anchored end of the stub axle. Still another object is to provide an improved, eflicient and thoroughly practical brake for aeroplane wheels mounted on stub axles.

7 To these ends and to improve generally upon devices of this character, the invention consists in the various matters hereinafter described and claimed. In its broader aspects, the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific construction selected for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a view principally in longitudinal cross section, the lower portion of the figure showing some ,parts in elevation with other parts removed or in section.

Fig. 2 is across sectional view to smaller scale than Fig. l, the section being taken on line 2-2 of Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevationof the inner sleeve.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the outer sleeve.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a nut.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view with some parts removed or broken away and some in section. The numeral l indicates an overhanging shaft or stub axle which may be integral with a flange or torque plate l2 adapted for attachment in any suitable way to the torque tube of an aeroplane (not shown). The torque plate has openings for bolts l4 which secure it to a flange l6 on a hollow shaft or sleeve Ill. The sleeve l8 is internally cylindrical to fit the stub axle ill 10 and constitutes a detachable carrier or support for an aeroplane wheel and brake. Externally, the sleeve is provided with longitudinally extending ribs 20 forming a series of longitudinal grooves 22 running from the flange 18 to the end of the sleeve. The groovesare deepest adjacent to the flange IE but the ribs are stepped down at intervals thus decreasing the depth of the grooves as the end of the sleeve is approached. The ribs thuspresent an interrupted cylindrical surface-24 terminating at a shoulder 26, another interrupted cylindrical surface 28 terminating at a shoulder 30, another such surface terminating at a shoulder 32, and still another such surface 34 whose outer end is :5 threaded at 36. The flange 16 also has an annular rib 38 on one side for a purpose that will appear later.

Seated on shoulder 28 is the inner race bearing 42, the outer race ring 44 of the bearing abutting against a shoulder 48 in a hub 48. Seated on the surface 34 is the inner race ring 50 of a ball bearing 52, the outer race ring 54 of the bearing abutting against a shoulder v56 in the hub. The outer race ring 54 is clamped against its shoulder by a threaded cap 58 screw-1 ing into the outer end of the hub. The cap has a central projection which is internally hexagonal to receive awrenc A flange 82 on the 0 cap engages a flange 64 on a demountable rim member 68 to lock the latter to the hub, the hub and rim member being held from relative rotation the surface as and against the ring of aball 30 .by a key 68. The hub and the rim member have inner curved walls are provided with grooves 12 to grip a wide pneumatic tire (not'shown). The hub is grooved out at 14 for a bent valve, a part of the valve being indicated at Hi with a cap 18 at the exposed end. An oil duct 80, which may movable plug, extends at an inclination through the hub, and a suitable oil seal is provided at 82. The inner race ring 5!] is clamped on the threaded end 36 of the sleeve I8 by a washer 84 flanges 10 whose and nuts 86, the tension thus exerted on the 55 sleeve tending also to draw the shoulder 28 against the other inner race ring 40 and so holding the outer race rings against their abutment shoulders ,and holding the bearing elements6 under an initial load.

be closed by a re- 80 which. actuates' a brake. The sleeve 90 is provided with internally projecting longitudinal ribs 92 fitting slidably in the grooves 22 of the sleeve I8. The exterior cylindrical surface of the sleeve 90 is interrupted by a series of longitudinal grooves 94 which are opposite to and narrower than the ribs 92. The grooves 94 extend from one end ofthe sleeve and part way along the length of a series of fingers 96 which form axial extensions of the sleeve. The fingers lie in .the deeper portions of the grooves 22 of the inner sleeve I8 and interdigitate with the raised surfaces 24 and 28 of the ribs on the inner sleeve. Spaced lugs 98 on the fingers are flush with the surface 24 and form a series of arcuate grooves I00 receiving lugs I02 projecting inwardly from a threaded member I04 which surrounds the endmost set of lugs 98. The lugs I02 fit in the longitudinal grooves 22 of the inner sleeve as well as in the circumferential grooves I00 of the outer sleeve and thus the threaded member I04 cannot move circumferentially or axially with respect to the slidable outer sleeve 90 but both can move together axially. The member I04 has a triple thread I06 externally, the threads fitting similar threads on the interior of a rockable brake actuator I08 having a bent brake arm IIO which is suitably connected by a link (not shown) to the fuselage. The actuator? I08 has an annular side flange II2 loosely surrounded by a dust band II4 which is welded or otherwise attached to the side flange 38. The dust band also acts as a stop to prevent axial shifting of the actuator away from the hub 48. An extension I I6 of the actuator is externally finished to make a smooth seat for the ,oilseal 82 and encloses an internal recess which receives an angled thrust plate H8 for'an antrifriction' thrust bearing I20. The bearing is shown as a ball bearing having a separator for the balls which bear against the adjacent end face of the inner race ring 48'. The bearing thus prevents axial shifting movement of the actuator I08 towards the hub but facilitates rocking of the actuator.

The interior of the hub is provided with pairs of longitudinally extending ribs forming grooves I22 receiving outwardly projecting lugs I24 on brake elements in the form of discs I26 which loosely surround the slidable sleeve 90. The discs I26 are preferably .of aluminum or phosphor bronze and alternate with discs I28 which are preferably of steel and have inwardly projecting lugs I30 fitting in the grooves 94 of the slidable sleeve. The two series of discs are confined'between thick abutment collars I32 and I34. The collar I32 is keyed to the sleeve and abuts against the race ring40 but clears the outer ring 44. The collar I34 is threaded on the slidable sleeve 90 and is clamped in adjusted position by a nut I36. In the initial or normal position of the actuator I08, the outer set of brake discs I26 are free to rotate with the hub 48 and can slide a little with respect to the hub. When the actuator I08 is rocked angularly about the axis of the hub, the threads at I06 cause the slidable sleeve 90 to shift axially on the inner sleeve I8 thus forcing the collar .I34-towardsthe collar I32 and placing the two sets of brake discs in frictional rubbing contact to slow down the vehicle. When the actuator I08 is turned back to its initial position, the slidable sleeve 90 shifts back again to release the side pressure on the brake discs.

The-

discs I28 are-desirably heat treated spring steel and any slight warping isadvantageous in that the 'retu'rn of'the discs to their initial warped the bearings but" are balanced at opposite sides of t e inner race ring 40. Oil introduced at 15 the duct lubricates the bearings, the discs, and the sliding sleeve, and is agitated by operation of thebrake. To detach the hub, leaving the brake mechanism intact, the cap 58, nuts 86 and washer 84 are removed to permit sliding of 20 the bearing 52 from the sleeve I8 and to permit the axial withdrawal of the hub from the other bearing 42, the hub having sliding movement along'the lugs I24 at the grooves I 22. The entire wheel and-brake mechanism .is free to slip 25 from the stub axle I 0 upon mere removal of the bolts I4.

' In operation, to apply the brake, a slight rocking of the arm II 0 will cause the threads I06 to produce an axial shifting of the fingers 96 and 30 the sleeve to the left in Fig. 1. The abutv ment collar I34 thereby forces the friction discs I26 and I 28 together and turning of the hub is resisted. The brake is released by turning the arm IIO back to the original position. 35

I claim:

1. In a brake, a non-rotary overhanging support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, a sleeve slidably mounted on the support and keyed against rotation with re- 4 spect thereto, braking means housed within the hub at one side of the bearing for frictionally connecting the hub to the sleeve, and means adjacent to the anchored end of the support at the other side of the .bearing for sliding the 15 sleeve to operate the braking means, said sleevesliding means and said braking means reacting against opposite sides of the bearing; substantially as described.

2. In a device of the character described, a 50 non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support and engaging the support,- a. sleeve slidably mounted for axial movement on one of the last named parts and having an extension passing between the one 55 member and the bearing, a brake actuator at one side of the bearing for sliding the sleeve, and means at the other side of .the bearing and housed within the hub for frictionally'resisting the turning of the hub with respect to the sup- 60 port; substantially as described.

3. In a device of the character described, a non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support and engaging the support, a sleeve slidably mounted on the 65 support and having an extension passing between the support and the bearing, a brake actuator at one side of the bearing for sliding the sleeve axially, and braking means at the other side of the bearing for frictionally connecting the, 70 hub to the sleeve; substantially as described.

4. In a device of the character described, a non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, the support having longitudinal ribs and intervening grooves, 7

30 between the member extending between the bearing and one 55 ably mounted on one of of the 70 grooves opposite to the internal ribs,

a sliding sleeve having ribs entering the grooves and fingers extending past the bearing, braking means associated with the sleeve, and a brake actuator having operating connection with the fingers; substantially as described. a

5. In a device of the character described, a non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, brake discs housed within the hub and movable towards the inner side of the bearing for irictionally resisting-the turning of the hub with respect to the support, a rockable actuator bearing against the outer side of. the bearing, and means for causing braking pressure to be transmitted from the 5 rockable actuator to the brake discs; substantially as described.

6. In a device of the character described, a non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, a movable 0 member extending between the bearing and one of said last named parts and having an abutment, brake discs housed within the hub between the abutment and theinner side of the, bearing, a rockable actuator bearing against the outer,

5 side of the bearing, and means for causing the rocking of the actuator to move said member;

substantially as described.

'7. In a device of the character described, a non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing hub and the support, a movable of said last named parts and having an abut ment, brake discs between the abutment and the inner side of the bearing, a rockable actuator bearing against the outer side of the bearing, and the rockable actuator and said member having a screw. threaded connection; substantially as described. 8. In a device of the character described, a 40 non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, a sleeve slidably mounted on one of keyed against rotation with respect thereto, brake elementshoused within the hub for actu- 45 ation by the sleeve, the sleeve having an extension extending past the bearing to the outside of the hub, a rockable actuator held against axial movement with respect to the hub, and a screw threaded connection between the actuator 50 and the sleeve extension; substantially as described. i

9. In a device of the character described, a non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, abearing between the hub and the the last named parts and keyed against rotation with respect thereto,

the sleeve having an abutment, brake discs between the abutment and the inner side of the bearing, a rockable actuator at. the outer side bearing, means for causing the rocking o! the actuator to slide the, sleeve, and means for adjusting the abutment on the sleeve; substantially as described.

10. In a device of the character described, a

65 non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, the support having longitudinal ribs and intervening grooves,

a sleeve having internal ribs entering the grooves and an abutment, the sleeve having external brake discs the last named parts and pp rt, a sleeve slidkeyed to the grooves in the sleeve, brake discs keyed to the hub, and means for sliding the sleeve to compress the discs between the abutment and the bearing; substantially as described.

11. In a device of the character described, a

non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, the support having longitudinal ribs and intervening grooves, a sleeve having internal ribs entering the grooves,

the sleeve having fingers extended past the bearing'and occupying the grooves, brake elements for frictionally connecting the hub to the sleeve,

-and an actuator having operating connection with the fingers; substantially as described.

- 12. In a? device of the character described, a

non-rotary support, a rotatable hub, the support having longitudinal ribs and intervening grooves, a bearing mounted on the ribs and rotatably supporting the hub, a sleeve slidable on the support and having fingers extending past the bearing through the grooves, brake elements frictionally connecting the hub to the sleeve, and an actuator having operating connections with the fingers; substantially as de-.-cribed.

13. In a device of the character described, an

inner sleeve having longitudinal ribs and interribs entering the ing external groo vening grooves, an outer sleeve having internal grooves, the outer sleeve havves opposite to its ribs, a hub ing grooves, brake elements having lugs entering the grooves of the hub, brake elements having lugs entering the grooves of the outer sleeve, and

means for sliding the outer sleeve on the inner sleeve to press the brake elements into frictional contact; substantially as described.

14. In a device of the character described, a

stub shaft, an inner sleeve detachably mounted on the shaft and having longitudinal ribs and intervening grooves, an outer sleeve having internal ribs entering the grooves, a hub rotatably mounted on the inner sleeve, brake elements keyed to the hub, brake elements keyed to one oi. the sleeves, and means for sliding said last named sleeve to press the brake elements into frictional contact; substantially as described.

15. In a device of the character described, an

inner sleeve, an outer sleeve surrounding and sliding on the inner sleeve, a hub, braking elements housed within the hub for frictionally connecting the hub to the outer sleeve, antifriction bearings housed within the hub and rotatably supporting the hub upon the inner sleeve,

the braking elements being between the bearings, meansfor closing the ends of the hub, and

means for introducing lubricant to the bearings, brake elements and sliding sleeve; substantially as described.

16. In a brake,

an overhanging support, a rotatable hub, a bearing between the hub and the support, brake discs housed inside of the hub for frictionally resisting the turning of the hub withrespect to the support, means extending between the bearing and the overhanging support for operating the brake discs from the anchored end 66 of the support, and said meansurging the brake discs towards the anchored end of the; support to avoid a tendency to push the hub from the support; substantially as described.

CHICIIESTER P. WEI-DON. 70 

